We've got to do it for the "chilrun"! Wonder whose tax dollars are paying for this? If I lived in that neighborhood I'd want more guns not less. Looks like the usual suspects in the background. Here we go again!
Gun Exchange Program To Be Held Saturday
Saturday, community members, church leaders and parents are hoping to turn two recent tragedies in Englewood into an end to gun violence.
In response to the deaths of 10-year-old Siretha White and 14-year-old Starkesia Reed, the Clergy for Safer Streets and the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy are presenting the city's first-ever "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" event -- a gun turn-in program.
Anyone can turn in a gun Saturday in exchange for a $100 debit card at 23 participating churches all over the city, said Glen Brooks, CAPS coordinator.
"In planning this event, we [wanted] to reach every segment of the city. This is not an Englewood event," Brooks said in a phone interview Wednesday. "I think what Englewood did was highlight" gun violence that is happening all over the city.
The two Englewood girls were killed in separate incidents within a week of each other last March. Each girl was hit by stray bullets entering their homes from shootings on the streets outside.
Brooks emphasized that not all 23 churches are on the South Side: "The goal of the program is to get weapons off the street and encompass all areas of Chicago, from the very tip of the North Side to very tip of the South Side," he said.
Jennifer Bishop, Illinois field director for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said, "I find it commendable the Chicago Police Department is setting aside other concerns and looking at the big picture. ... That is why there are no questions asked. They just want to save lives.":barf:
Bishop said chapters of the Million Mom March :barf: are supplying volunteers to work at Saturday's event. "People really do need a place to get rid of guns ... [especially] with all these kids getting killed in Englewood. They are getting amnesty for one day," she said.
Police officials expect at least 500 guns to be turned in.
"We are urging residents to call 311[for a listing of the church locations]," said Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond. She said there "are no limits per individual [gun] turn-in."
The program begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. But if someone arrives a few minutes later, there "may be a grace period of five minutes," Bond said. Brooks, however, said: "If we are there, we will accept the guns. But the Chicago Police Department is taking an inherent risk and can only [hold the event] for a specific time."
Bond explained that the $100 cards can be used anywhere. "There are no designated stores," she said.
"The $100 debit card is really generous," Bishop said. "The cash can be used to buy clothes or PlayStation games."
At the "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" briefing last week at the Greater Salem Baptist Church, a collection of Chicago powers and activists gathered, including Police Supt. Philip J. Cline, Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, Rev. Walter Johnson, Father Michael Pfleger, Rev. Albert Tyson, members of Clergy for Safer Streets and CAPS Director Vance Henry. Also attending was Lauri Sanders, a representative of Jewel-Osco, which donated $10,000 to the program.
"Anyone who is taking positive measures to stop shooting and killing is an asset to the community," said Elena Quintana, director of evaluation at CeaseFire, an initiative of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention. Quintana said cooperation, not competition, is the way to fight violence: "We all need to work together," she said.
"I have heard [of cases] where grandmothers bring in their grandsons' guns during these gun turn-in programs," Quintana said.
Pastor Carey Gidron of Believers Time International Church, 1421 W. 69th St., said, "One of the key things we hope to gain from [Saturday's event] is that we want people to turn in guns....not for the money, but for change, for hope, to save a life."
If funds remain after the gun turn-in, Bond said: "More than likely, the funds will remain in reserve for future gun turn-in programs."
"City corporations such as Chase [bank], Jewel-Osco and others who wish to remain anonymous have stepped up" in financing Saturday's event, Brooks said.
Several radio stations in the Chicago area have announced "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" on the air.
As for the exchanged guns, "[they] will be melted down," Bond said. She said the program may become an annual event.
"The Clergy for Safer Streets and CAPS more than anything want the public to hear the message, that guns are dangerous and responsible for too much senseless violence claiming the lives of innocent victims," Bond explained.
"One gun on the street is too many. Even if all 23 churches only collect 23 guns, they will have made a difference," Bond said.
Anyone can turn in a gun at the following 23 churches on Saturday:
-- Liberation Christian Center, 6810 S. Ashland Ave., 773-436-7940.
-- First Deliverance Church, 4315 S. Wabash Ave., 773-373-7700.
-- Revival Temple, 6415 S. Ashland Ave., 773-476-7283.
-- Holy Cross Immaculate Church, 4557 S. Wood St., 773-376-3900.
-- St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78th Place, 773-483-4300.
-- Greater Salem Baptist Church, 215 W 71st St., 773-874-2325.
-- St. Agnes Church, 2651 S. Central Park Ave., 773-522-0142.
-- New Garden Baptist MB Church, 1411 S. Ashland Ave., 773-354-3821.
-- People's Church of the Harvest, 3570 W. 5th Ave, 773-533-6877.
-- Assembly of God Church New Life Covenant, 1665 N. Mozart Ave., 773-384-7113.
-- East Side United Methodist Church, 11000 S. Ewing St., 773-721-4141.
-- Immaculate Conception Parish, 2944 E 88th St., 773-768-2100.
-- Bethlehem Star MB Church, 9231-33 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 773-487-8441.
-- New Vision of Faith Ministries, 447 W. 120th St., 773-264-3020.
-- Trinity All Nations Ministry, 9600 S. Vincennes Ave., 773-238-1174.
-- Fourth Congregational Church, 2625 N. Talman Ave., 773-486-1184.
-- Bethel Lutheran Church, 1410 N. Springfield Ave., 773-252-1104.
-- Mandell United Methodist Church, 5000 W. Congress Parkway,773-626-3626.
-- Humboldt Park Community Church, 1515 N. Homan Ave., 773-252-4021.
-- Wayman A.M.E. Church, 509 W Elm St., 312-944-3780.
-- Spanish Christian Church, 1507 W. Sunnyside Ave., 773-728-1777.
-- Uptown Baptist Church, 1011 W. Wilson Ave., 773-784-2922.
-- West Ridge Community Methodist Church, 2301 W. Lunt Ave., 773-346-3113.
Gun Exchange Program To Be Held Saturday
Saturday, community members, church leaders and parents are hoping to turn two recent tragedies in Englewood into an end to gun violence.
In response to the deaths of 10-year-old Siretha White and 14-year-old Starkesia Reed, the Clergy for Safer Streets and the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy are presenting the city's first-ever "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" event -- a gun turn-in program.
Anyone can turn in a gun Saturday in exchange for a $100 debit card at 23 participating churches all over the city, said Glen Brooks, CAPS coordinator.
"In planning this event, we [wanted] to reach every segment of the city. This is not an Englewood event," Brooks said in a phone interview Wednesday. "I think what Englewood did was highlight" gun violence that is happening all over the city.
The two Englewood girls were killed in separate incidents within a week of each other last March. Each girl was hit by stray bullets entering their homes from shootings on the streets outside.
Brooks emphasized that not all 23 churches are on the South Side: "The goal of the program is to get weapons off the street and encompass all areas of Chicago, from the very tip of the North Side to very tip of the South Side," he said.
Jennifer Bishop, Illinois field director for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said, "I find it commendable the Chicago Police Department is setting aside other concerns and looking at the big picture. ... That is why there are no questions asked. They just want to save lives.":barf:
Bishop said chapters of the Million Mom March :barf: are supplying volunteers to work at Saturday's event. "People really do need a place to get rid of guns ... [especially] with all these kids getting killed in Englewood. They are getting amnesty for one day," she said.
Police officials expect at least 500 guns to be turned in.
"We are urging residents to call 311[for a listing of the church locations]," said Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond. She said there "are no limits per individual [gun] turn-in."
The program begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. But if someone arrives a few minutes later, there "may be a grace period of five minutes," Bond said. Brooks, however, said: "If we are there, we will accept the guns. But the Chicago Police Department is taking an inherent risk and can only [hold the event] for a specific time."
Bond explained that the $100 cards can be used anywhere. "There are no designated stores," she said.
"The $100 debit card is really generous," Bishop said. "The cash can be used to buy clothes or PlayStation games."
At the "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" briefing last week at the Greater Salem Baptist Church, a collection of Chicago powers and activists gathered, including Police Supt. Philip J. Cline, Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, Rev. Walter Johnson, Father Michael Pfleger, Rev. Albert Tyson, members of Clergy for Safer Streets and CAPS Director Vance Henry. Also attending was Lauri Sanders, a representative of Jewel-Osco, which donated $10,000 to the program.
"Anyone who is taking positive measures to stop shooting and killing is an asset to the community," said Elena Quintana, director of evaluation at CeaseFire, an initiative of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention. Quintana said cooperation, not competition, is the way to fight violence: "We all need to work together," she said.
"I have heard [of cases] where grandmothers bring in their grandsons' guns during these gun turn-in programs," Quintana said.
Pastor Carey Gidron of Believers Time International Church, 1421 W. 69th St., said, "One of the key things we hope to gain from [Saturday's event] is that we want people to turn in guns....not for the money, but for change, for hope, to save a life."
If funds remain after the gun turn-in, Bond said: "More than likely, the funds will remain in reserve for future gun turn-in programs."
"City corporations such as Chase [bank], Jewel-Osco and others who wish to remain anonymous have stepped up" in financing Saturday's event, Brooks said.
Several radio stations in the Chicago area have announced "Don't Kill A Dream, Save A Life" on the air.
As for the exchanged guns, "[they] will be melted down," Bond said. She said the program may become an annual event.
"The Clergy for Safer Streets and CAPS more than anything want the public to hear the message, that guns are dangerous and responsible for too much senseless violence claiming the lives of innocent victims," Bond explained.
"One gun on the street is too many. Even if all 23 churches only collect 23 guns, they will have made a difference," Bond said.
Anyone can turn in a gun at the following 23 churches on Saturday:
-- Liberation Christian Center, 6810 S. Ashland Ave., 773-436-7940.
-- First Deliverance Church, 4315 S. Wabash Ave., 773-373-7700.
-- Revival Temple, 6415 S. Ashland Ave., 773-476-7283.
-- Holy Cross Immaculate Church, 4557 S. Wood St., 773-376-3900.
-- St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78th Place, 773-483-4300.
-- Greater Salem Baptist Church, 215 W 71st St., 773-874-2325.
-- St. Agnes Church, 2651 S. Central Park Ave., 773-522-0142.
-- New Garden Baptist MB Church, 1411 S. Ashland Ave., 773-354-3821.
-- People's Church of the Harvest, 3570 W. 5th Ave, 773-533-6877.
-- Assembly of God Church New Life Covenant, 1665 N. Mozart Ave., 773-384-7113.
-- East Side United Methodist Church, 11000 S. Ewing St., 773-721-4141.
-- Immaculate Conception Parish, 2944 E 88th St., 773-768-2100.
-- Bethlehem Star MB Church, 9231-33 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 773-487-8441.
-- New Vision of Faith Ministries, 447 W. 120th St., 773-264-3020.
-- Trinity All Nations Ministry, 9600 S. Vincennes Ave., 773-238-1174.
-- Fourth Congregational Church, 2625 N. Talman Ave., 773-486-1184.
-- Bethel Lutheran Church, 1410 N. Springfield Ave., 773-252-1104.
-- Mandell United Methodist Church, 5000 W. Congress Parkway,773-626-3626.
-- Humboldt Park Community Church, 1515 N. Homan Ave., 773-252-4021.
-- Wayman A.M.E. Church, 509 W Elm St., 312-944-3780.
-- Spanish Christian Church, 1507 W. Sunnyside Ave., 773-728-1777.
-- Uptown Baptist Church, 1011 W. Wilson Ave., 773-784-2922.
-- West Ridge Community Methodist Church, 2301 W. Lunt Ave., 773-346-3113.
:barf: 
